Greenwood Rising

Today, we remember the Tulsa Race Massacre and the destruction of Greenwood, a thriving community known as Black Wall Street.

For many years, the story of what happened in Tulsa was left out of classrooms, history books and public conversations. Organizations like Greenwood Rising are helping keep this history alive by sharing it with new generations.

Road to Remembrance: Two Cities, One Mission is an annual partnership between Greenwood Rising and the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum that brings students to both sites to learn about two defining moments in Oklahoma history and the lessons they still carry today. The program will return this fall for a new school year.

At Greenwood Rising, we pause to honor and remember Bobby Eaton Sr., a devoted leader whose life reflected the enduring strength, resilience, and spirit of Greenwood.

A descendant of a Tulsa Race Massacre survivor, Bobby Eaton Sr. carried forward a powerful family legacy rooted in perseverance and community. His grandfather, Joseph Eaton, owned a barber shop in the historic Greenwood District — the heart of Black Wall Street — and helped rebuild the community after the devastation of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

Today, Greenwood Rising is honored to preserve a piece of that legacy through a barber chair donated by the Eaton family from Joseph Eaton’s barbershop dating back to the 1920s. The chair stands as a powerful reminder of the resilience, entrepreneurship, and determination that helped rebuild Greenwood after unimaginable loss.

Raised in Greenwood, Bobby Eaton Sr. continued that legacy through his dedication to Black entrepreneurship, advocacy for justice, and unwavering service to the community. His leadership and commitment helped preserve the stories and spirit that allow us to continue telling Greenwood’s history today.

We are deeply grateful for his life, his service, and the generations of strength he represented. His impact will continue to inspire future generations, and his legacy will forever remain a part of Greenwood’s living history.